I’ve done nothing wrong: Craig Thomson

THE lawyer for besieged MP Craig Thomson has threatened to sue anyone who defames his client.

Lawyer Chris McArdle issued the ultimatum on Sky News after police raided Mr Thomson's home on the New South Wales Central Coast on Wednesday.

New South Wales Police Strike Force Carnarvon executed a warrant on the former Health Services Union national secretary's home on behalf of Victoria's fraud and extortion squad.

Victoria's Operation Vespine has been investigating Mr Thomson as part of its wider investigation into the national office of the union.

Police seized documents at Mr Thomson's home about 7am, with a later raid on his Tuggerah electorate office, seizing documents and computers.

Mr Thomson said he remained confident he would not face charges.

He told reporters the Victorian Police "took a couple of documents" and that he volunteered more.

"At the outset, I want to say I've done nothing wrong.

"We are fully co-operating with the police in relation to this investigation into the national office of the HSU," he said.

Mr Thomson said he looked forward to the police investigation finishing by the end of the year.

Visibly shaking in front of a barrage of microphones, Mr Thomson asked the media to respect his family and his neighbours following the police raid.

It is alleged Mr Thomson misused HSU members' funds on prostitutes and other expenses.

Fair Work Australia launched a civil case against Mr Thomson in the Federal Court last week, relating to the alleged misuse of union funds during his time as HSU national secretary.

The court action comes after a lengthy FWA investigation completed in May. It includes 25 alleged breaches of union rules and 37 alleged breaches of general duties for officers of registered organisations.

Mr Thomson has repeatedly declared his innocence of all allegations.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the latest development again brought Prime Minister Julia Gillard's judgement in to question.

"The police have shown a lot of diligence in trying to ensure that low paid workers' money is not misused. I just wish the same diligence had been shown by the Federal Government," Mr Abbott said.

"Let's not forget that it was the Prime Minister who was saying for months and years that she had full confidence in Craig Thomson," Mr Abbott said.

After Mr Abbott's public comments, Mr McArdle said he would not tolerate his client being defamed by "ageing student politicians mouthing off".

Mr McArdle also expressed outrage that it was apparent some media outlets were tipped off about the police raids.
Victorian Police serious crime operations Detective Superintendent Brett Guerin said he shared Mr McArdle's outrage and he would "love to know how the media knew".

"The last thing our detectives need is to be knocking on someone's door with a media scrum watching. It helps no one but the media," he said.

Neither Victorian nor NSW police would comment on the nature of any ongoing investigations.

EARLIER: EMBATTLED MP Craig Thomson says he is confident he will not face charges after police raided his Central Coast home this morning.

Victorian fraud and extortion officers arrived at the former Health Services Union national secretary's Bateau Bay home about 7am (AEDT).

Mr Thomson told reporters the Victorian Police "took a couple of documents" and that he volunteered a couple of documents.

"At the outset, I want to say I've done nothing wrong, we are fully cooperating with the police in relation to this investigation into the national office of the HSU," he said.

Mr Thomson said he looked forward to the police investigation ending by the end of the year.

Visibly shaking in front of a barrage of microphones, Mr Thomson asked the media to respect both his family and his neighbours following the police raid.

It was understood Victorian police also planned to execute a search warrant at Mr Thomson's Tuggerah electorate office.

The Victorian police, who are part of Operation Vespine, were assisted by New South Wales officers from that state's Strike Force Carnarvon in executing the warrant.

It is alleged Mr Thomson misused HSU members' funds on prostitutes and other expenses.